Shelly's Recipe

CARAMEL APPLE BARS

Category: Bars

Crust
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt and baking soda
1 3/4 cups quick oats, uncooked

Filling
3 to 4 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch dice (about 4 cups)
2 tbsp flour
1 tsp lemon juice
1 bag (14 oz) caramel candy, unwrapped

Heat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 inch baking pan with shortening. For crust, combine shortening and brown sugar in large bowl and beat until creamy. Add egg to creamed mixture. Beat until well blended.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, salt and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture gradually. Add in oats. Mix until blended. Reserve 1-1/4 cups of mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

For filling, toss apples with 2 tbsp flour and lemon juice. Distribute apple mixture evenly over partially baked crust. Press in lightly.

Place caramels in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) for 1 minute. Stir. Repeat until caramels are melted. Drizzle melted caramel evenly over apples. Crumble reserved topping evenly over caramel. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until apples are tender and top is golden brown. Do not over bake. Loosen caramel from sides of pan with knife. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to store.